Table 3.

Summary of NGT and PEG tube advantages and disadvantages

Variable	PEG	NGT
Insertion	Requires sedation, theatre time or endoscopy suite	Outpatient procedure
Cost (AUD)	$626	$50
Duration	Indefinite, tube replaced annually as outpatient	<4 weeks, max. 10 weeks
Complications – acute	Less common	Dislodgement common, pain in setting of mucositis
Complications – late	Longer term tube dependence, dysphagia, increased risk of pharyngo‐oesophageal strictures	Less common, shorter tube dependence
QOL	Patient satisfaction generally high	Generally considered less convenient, negative impact on social functioning and body image

PEG, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy; NGT, nasogastric tube; AUD, Australian Dollars.